Apparatus for facilitating sticking bleeding of slaughter animals



July 8, 1958 L. w. MURPHY APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING STICKING BLEEDINGoF SLAUGHTER ANIMALS 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Nov. 14, 1955 Fam July 8,1958 1 w. MURPHY 2,841,817

. APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING STICKING BLEEDING OF SLAUGHTER ANIMALSFiled NOV. 14, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 APPARATUS FOR G STSKHNG BLEEDENG FSLAUGHTER ANEMALS Laurence W. Murphy, Austin, li/liinn assigner to Geo.A.

Hormel 8s C0., Austin, Minn., a corporation oi Ware Application November14, 1955, Serial Filo. 546,@22

7 Claims. (Cl. 17m-24) This invention relates to apparatus and processesfor facilitating the slaughter, for slaughtering and for eiiicientlybleeding slaughter animals to effect economies and to substantiallyeliminate injury to the hams, with a manimum recovery of blood during'the bleeding.

This invention has an important and combinative process relation withthe inventions disclosed in my Patent No. 2,526,037 and in my allowedpatent application, Serial No. 312,094- now Patent No. 2,733,477, issuedFebruary 7, i956. iin said patent and patent application, a valuableprocess and `apparatus were disclosed for continuously and successivelyimmobilizing and delivering slaughter animals such as hogs, steers,fowls and others prior to the sticking operation. The animals wereconveyed or otherwise moved in a substantially, continuous file betweenside walls or rails to prevent them from turning as they pass through ananesthetizing chamber in such travel wherein carbon` dioxide or othersatisfactory gas States Patent() was administered under uniform`control, to an extent only to immobilize the voluntary processes of theanimals Without affecting the involuntary processes such as breathingand circulation of blood stream. My said allowed application disclosedimprovements on the apparatus and process of my original patent in thata more uniform and continuous file or stream of animals is assured withemployment of a minimum number of prodders or attendants and whereby,such animals, just prior to entrance and travel through theanesthetizing chamber and throughout the travel therein, are physicallyseparated or spaced apart to positively prevent stampeding, crowding orpiling up of the animals in their file or lane preparatory to enduringanesthetizing.

My present invention makes provision for successively receivingimmobilized animals and for moving the same in spaced, transverserelation,throughfapredetermined path of travel, thereby facilitatingwithout the use of shackles, elevating conveyors, etc., the propersticking of said animals with no injury tothe hams from bruising orcapsule fracture of hip joint.` The labor of shackling the rear legs ofa slaughter animal and then suspending the same from a moving, overheadconveyor is eliminated and apparatus is employed for disposing the headand shoulder of the animal before slaughter or sticking, in a positionto cause the cut to remain open and in position to most etlieientlybleed theanimal. The time duration of the travel of said animals throughthe predetermined course, is adeq :are with my improved facilities forholding the wound open, to thoroughly bleed the animals in accordancewith requirements of Federal law.

More specifically, it is an object of my present invention to provide aprocess for continuously and successively receiving an immobilizedslaughter animal in transverse, substantially horizontal position andfor retaining thesame in such position and moving the animal through apredetermined course and in saidtravel, first sticking or slaughteringthe :animal and thereafter, moving it through said course through a timeperiodv to adequately elect thorough bleeding thereof while holdingduring such lul travel, the animal in a position most favorable to keepthe wounds or cuts open to facilitate bleeding and also, during suchtravel, to collect all blood. Preferably, the animals while disposedhorizontally, are disposed from head to rear with the center line andback line of the animal at an angle of substantially 60 degrees withreference to the line of travel or center line of the conveyor or othermeans for producing travel.

Another object is the provision of elcient apparatus for receiving andconveying Vin successive order, a plurality of immobilized slaughteranimals, said apparatus including an efficient conveyor, preferably ofthe deck type, on which the animals are disposed in spaced, transverse,substantially parallel relation, preferably inclined at angles of 60degrees from head to rear with reference to the center line anddirection of travel of the conveyor. The said apparatus and conveyorincludes a means whereby the torso and main portion of the body of theanimals are supported upon a deck-like conveyor portion while the headsand at least most of the shoulders of the animals are disposed on aportion of the conveyor which is foraminous for permitting passage ofblood therethrough and which portion of the conveyor serves to tilt theheads slightly forward and downward, keeping the cut from the stickinglopen and most efficiently draining the blood, all without the use ofshackles and over-head conveyors, from which animals have formerly beensuspended by the one hind leg, as common or accepted practice.

A further obiect in apparatus and a process of the class described, isthe provision of means regardless of the individual weight of adjacentanimals in successive line, to retain the, animals individually inproper transverse relation to the travel or conveyor, evenV thoughreflex actions after sticking occur, said transverse relation preferablybeing at 6D d grees rather than QOdegrees to the center line oftheccnveyor.

rl`hese and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fullyappear from the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings wherein like` reference characters refer tosimilar parts throughout theseveral views and in which:

' Fig. l is a plan vicwolau embodiment of my a"` ratus` with the medialportion thereof broken away the view thus foreshortened;

Fig. 2 is asideclevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig.l, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 4 is a vertical, longitudinal section taken substantiaily on thcline fi--d of 3, looking in the direction ofthearrows;

5 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken substantially along the line5 5 of Fig, 3, showing the su of the deck" conveyor `upon suitable trackor rails;

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal, vertical section taken apprh mately along` theline t-d of Fig. 3, looking in the di tion indicated by the arrows andshowing the suppe, the underrun of the endless deck conveyor; and

Figs. 7 and 8` are fragmentary, prospective views shewing two forms offoraminous or fork rod structure for supporting the head and forelegs`of slaughter anim ln the embodiment of the invention illustra d .syapparatus utilizes an elongated deck conveyor DC of endless type trainedabout rearward and forward sets of sprocket wheels 1i? and 11 and rollersupported upon a track comprising the rails 12 (see Fig. 3).

When combined for use with my apparatus disclosed in said patent andallowed patent application, deck conveyor DC receives animals havingbeen previously immobilized as by anesthesiaV from the delivery end X ofthe conveyor deliveringffrom the anesthesia chamber, a graduallydeclined slide section Sbeing interposedbetween and 3 the delivery endof conveyor X and the receiving end of deck conveyor DC.

The immobilized slaughter animals are disposed in spaced relationlongitudinally of the delivery conveyor X and are turned from thatposition to a transverse position as they pass down the slide section S.This is readily accomplished by grasping the animal by the forelegs orrear legs and turning as the animal is sliding down the section S.

The deck conveyor DC is of a width to more than accommodate the entirelength of the particular slaughter animal on which the apparatus is tobe used. One longitudinal side of said deck conveyor of a marginal widthto nicely accommodate the head and most of the forelegs of the slaughteranimals is constructed of rigid, foraminous materialV indicated as anentirety by the letter F and is depressed as clearly shown in Figs. 3and 7, in relation to the main deck of the conveyor on which the bodiesof the animals are supported and which in the form shown, comprises a.multiplicity of linked, transverse flat slats of leaves 13.

A sticker station or platform SS is provided forwardly of the slidesection S extending longitudinally of the foraminous, marginal portionof deck conveyor DC. ln this station, as the animal is moving slowly intravel S, the sticker makes a non-conventional sticking and cut,severing the desired carteroid artery and jugular vein. The cut C somade, as clearly shown in Fig. 3, is disposed medially over theforaminous portion of the deck conveyor, so that thc blood may passtherethrough into a longitudinal blood-collecting trough T which extendsthe full length of the deck conveyor.

Directly after sticking or slaughter, the hogs or other slaughteranimals are engaged from above by a longitudinally extending, variablehold-down conveyor indicated as an entirety by the letters HD. As shown,this conveyor comprises an endless apron 14 trained over a transverse,rear roller 15 and a forwardroller 16, said forward roller beingsuitably driven in synchronization with the speed of travel of the deckconveyor DC. The under-run 14a of the hold-down apron is yieldinglyurged downwardly by a series of hanger rollers 17 and engages the girthof the slaughter animals even though they vary considerably in crosssectional dimensions and weight, thereby retaining the animals in propertransverse position on the deck conveyor even though reflex actionsoccur in the animals subsequent to sticking.

The length of the deck conveyor DC related to the speed of travel of thesame is such that through the involuntary heart action of the animalsafter sticking, the same will ,be fully bled during their travel andbefore they reach in travel, the delivery end E of the deck conveyor.The

hold-down conveyor HD, it will be noted, terminates quiteshort of thedelivery end of the deck conveyor, as shown in Figs. l and 2.

Referring more in detail to the speciic form of deck conveyorillustrated (see Figs. 3 to 6 inclusive), l interconnect tliemultiplicity of slats or leaves 13 of conveyor DC with two lines ofsuitable links 18, said links at their ends being pivoted together bypins 19a which as shown, also constitute the journals for supportingrollers 19. Rollers 19 are supported upon and roll upon the two rails 12of the supporting track. For strength as shown, the links comprise outerand inner sections, as stated, pivotally interconnected to form endlesschains which are disposed inwardly some distance from the respectivelongitudinal edges of the deck conveyor and which chains are driven atthe forward end of deck conveyor through the sprockets 11, the shaft ofwhich is connected with a suitable source of power, not shown.

lThe supporting rails 12 for the deck conveyor, as shown,

`are secured to and supported from the top of widely spaced, heavyholsters 20 which are centrally supported from an upstanding, heavysupporting framework designated as an entirety by the number 21.Bolsters Ztl and consequently portions of the framework areinterconnected by an elongated, rigid sleeve 20a which passes throughthe holsters and tightly fits the same. Bolsters 2@ also support thelongitudinal guard rails 21 as shown in the form of inverted T-barshaving angle bars 21a at the upper ends thereof, welded or otherwiserigidly secured. The upper ilanges of members 21e extend horizontallyinward short distances to in straight line fashion, engage againstdepending roller brackets 2.2 which are secured beneath the respectiveslats 13, thereby preventing lateral displacement of the slats relativeto the supporting rails l2. Such engagement of course, only occurs in aguiding fashion if there is a tendency for lateral displacement of thedeck conveyor.

rigidly secured to and supported from bolster 2li at the bottom portionthereof are angle iron supporting rails 23 spaced the requisite distanceapart to engage the rollers 22a on the lower run of the deck conveyor(see Fig. 3). Said lower run is thus supported and smoothly travelsacross the tracks afforded by angle bars 23.

Referring more specifically to the forarninous, longitudinal side ormarginal portion F of the deck conveyor I prefer to provide one end ofeach of the deck slats 13 with an olfset or depressed fork structure 24which is preferably made from rigid rod material. in the form shown inFig. 7, the outwardly extending rods 24a are four in number, beingspaced in parallel relationship and interconnected at their outer endsas by welding with rod section 24d. The inner ends of rods 24a are bentupwardly and then horizontally inward, affording shanks 24e (see Fig. 3)which are welded or otherwise rigidly aflixed to the end of the slat 13thereabove. The extent of offsetting of the fork structure 24 from thetop surface of the slats depends of course upon the dimensions of theslaughter animals to be accommodated. ln the case of hogs, this distanceusually varies from 3 to 41/2 inches.

In Fig. 8, an alternative form of forked or foraminous head and forelegsupporting structure is shown for the slats comprising simply anintegral rod 25 which is bent in hairpin fashion with its shanksconnected as in the case of rod 24 with the adjacent end of itssupporting slat 13. In this form of fork structure, the rod or rods areinclined obliquely from their integral connection with the attachedshanks and then are disposed horizontally throughout the greater portionof their lengths as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

Referring again to the hold-down conveyor H D, the same is suitablysupported from overhead by heavy end and intermediate straps 26 and 27respectively, said straps being connected at their lower ends withVhorizontal, elongated beams 28, one disposed at each side of theconveyor. The tensioning or hanger brackets 17 which are spacedlongitudinally at the bottom of the conveyor, have side arms 17a whicharerpivoted at their rear 'and upward ends to the beams 28 of the hangerframe and carry depending rollers 17b at their outer ends, which rollersactually engage the bottom run 14a of the apron. The arms 17a of thebrackets are urged czlgwnwardly by suitable means such as pressuresprings The deck conveyor DC is driven by suitable power source at itsforward end and its speed of travel is synchronized with the travel ofthe hold-down conveyor HD.V As shown, suitable chain-tighteningmechanism indicated as an entirety by the numeral 30, is provided withinthe rear confines of the deck conveyor chains on conveyor DC and at eachside thereof. The longitudinal blood-collection trough T has a bottomdeclined towards the outer edge thereof `and providing a sump adjacentthe longitudinal outer edge of the apparatus from which, at spacedpoints, suction pipes or the like 32, are connected. Trough T at itsouter side, has a. relatively high splash side 33 as shown in Fig. 3.

The deck conveyor, in the embodiment illustrated delivers theslaughtered animals after bleeding, to a soaking and scalding tubidentified as an entirety by the letter Y.

Process The steps of my novel process with or without inclusion of theimmobilizing steps, preferably anesthesia, are for the most part pointedout in the foregoing description of the embodiment of apparatusillustrated.

It is essential in my process that the slaughter animals which mayinclude hogs, cattle, sheep and also large fowls, be immobilized anddelivered successively, one at a time prior to travel for the stickingand blood letting operations.

lt is highly desirable in immobilizing the involuntary functions of suchyanimals that they be not shackled or suspended from their hind legs, asis the usual procedure before sticking. I prefer to employ the methodand appartus of my said patent and allowed patent application whereinthe slaughter animals are moved at a fairly slow speed, standing ontheir own legs through an anesthetizing chamber. Here, under control,anesthesia is administered to an extent to cause immobilization of thevoluntary processes and the animals slump to prostrate position withoutproducing stretching or straining of the branches of the acetabularartery located in the ligaments and without rupture of hip jointcapsules, or joint of femur and ilium.

ln recent years, the hemorrhaging by hogs and other slaughter animalsthrough stretching of the limbs by suspension of the weight of theanimal therefrom through shackles `and overhead trolleys, has oftenproduced hemorrhages by tearing of the branches ofthe acetabulararteries and/or by tearing of the hip joint capsules. Blood and synovialfluid, as a result of tearing of the acetabular arteries and capsulesemerged from the joint cavity and followed intermuscular septum to thesurface or interior of the ham. Hemorrhaging was severe, since evenafter sticking, the involuntary processes including blood circulationand breathing continue for some time. The monetary loss to packersthrough the necessary downgrading of such hemorrhaged meat has been verysubstantial and in many instances, ham sold to consumers had hemorrhagesWhich were not detected since they did not reach the surface.

My process includes, after eciently immobilizing the voluntary processesof the animals, the conveying or moving of said animals successively inspaced relation through a predetermined travel related to an element oftime while retaining the head and at least a portion of the shoulder ofsaid animals at a somewhat lower level than the bodies thereof tothereby cause the incision from sticking, to remain open. The preferredincision made in carrying out my process is made at an angle of 70degrees to the backbone of the hog, which is nonconventional but isfound to assist in keeping the incision open.

The process as an essential element, includes the eilicient sticking ofthe slaughter animal in a reclined or prostrate position while slowlytraveling through a predetermined path and the continued positioning ofthe animal in said path before and after sticking, as previouslydescribed.

My process also includes the collection of all blood during thepredetermined travel of the animal as well as the retention or holdingof the animal during a travel sufficient from point of time for completebleeding to the end that the positioning of animals successively in theline of travel will not be disturbed even through certain reex actionsoccur subsequent to the step of sticking.

While other apparatus and substitutes for component elements thereof maybe employed for carrying out my novel process, the type of apparatusillustrated herein is particularly well adapted for attaining high endresults.

First, with the declined slide S, it is easy for an operator by graspingthe animals ears and forelegs,.to turn the delivered animal to aposition on` its side transversely of the deck conveyor with the headand forelegs or at least most of the forelegssupported upon thedepressed, foraminous section F which as shown in the aggregate,consists of the fork rod strtucture.

No shackling of one or two of the rear legs of the animal is required,thereby eliminating substantial labor costs.

The sticker, a highly skilled technician, stands or sits on his stationSS, rapidly making the necessary incision at the throat of the animalwhose head is disposed above the adjacent marginal portion of foraminousconstrue* tion.

Very shortly after sticking, the animal. in transverse position as shownin Figs. l and 2, travels under the holddown conveyor HD and even thoughthe girth of the successive animals varies considerably, thespringactuated, resilient construction applied to the lower run of aproni461, causes all of the animals to be engaged and held down individuallyto prevent displacement from the predetermined, transverse` positionupon the deck conveyor.

To my knowledge, it was heretofore unknown that a slaughter animal couldbe completely and successfully bled While being moved in prostrateposition.

With the positioning of the head and at least portions of the forelegsthrough the use of my apparatus, the cut at the throat of the animal iscaused to be held open and the blood pours out, it has ybeen found afterexhaustive tests in many instances, as completely and rapidly as when ananimal is suspended by its hind legs in the manner now extensively andcommercially used. All blood trickles through the fork rods 24 droppingto the` collection trough T from which it is constantly removed bysuction pumps connected to the trough at intervals by conduits 32.

The time interval of travel of the animal after sticking is such thatcomplete bleeding as required by Federal law, is effected before eachanimal is delivered from the deck conveyor DC.

From the foregoing description, it will be seen that throughout thesteps ofmy novel process and with the apparatus herein described, therecan be no bruising of the ham of the animal nor can there by anystretching of limbs or cutting or tearing of Veins or of the hip jointcapsules at the hip joint or elsewhere. Consequently, the previouslyobjectionable hemorrhaging has been elimi nated with a great saving topacking houses in the slaughtering of domestic animals.

With the use of my inventions the laborious shackling of live hogs orother slaughter animals and fowls may be eliminated with attendantsaving in labor and with the substantial elimination during sticking andbleeding operations, of hemorrhaging and down-grading of meat throughtearing of arteries or fracture of joint capsules formerly due tooverhead suspension of animals before and after slaughter, by their hindlegs.

What l claim is:

1. Apparatus for facilitating sticking and bleeding of slaughter animalscomprising, an elongated conveyor including a first portion deiining asubstantially planar conveying surface of an overall width and contourfor accommodating transversely the full lengths of immobilized slaughteranimals disposed on their sides transversely thereof, said conveyor alsoincluding a second portion adjacent one lateral edge of said firstportion and disposed below said rst portion for receiving and supportingthe head and at least portions of the foreicgs of the animals, saidsecond portion being foraminous to permit passage of blood therethroughand means for driving said conveyor at a predetermined speed related toits length so that the time element of animals successively movedthroughout said length is sufficient for substantially cornpletebleeding of the animals after sticking.

2. The structure set forth in claim 1 and blood collection meansextending longitudinally below said second, foraminous portion of theconveyor.

3. The structure set forth in claim 1 further characterized by ahold-down mechanism longitudinally disposed above at least theintermediate portion of said conveyor for engaging and retaining themid-portions of slaughter animals after sticking in successivetransverse position upon said conveyor.

4. Apparatus for facilitating sticking and bleeding of slaughter animalscomprising, a deck conveyor including a first portion defining asubstantially planar conveying surface of a uniform width and contour tofully accommodate the full length of the immobilized slaughter animalsto be processed when disposed on their' sides trans-- versely thereof,means for delivering successively a multiplicity of immobilizedslaughter animalsto one end of Vsaid conveyor, said conveyor alsoincluding a second portion adjacent one lateral edge of said firstportion and offset below said first portion for supporting the head andat least portions of the shoulder of the animals whereby the animals inrelatively slow travel by said deck conveyor may be stuck while inprostrate positions and whereby the cuts from such sticking operationwill be maintained open through sagging of the head and throat` bloodcollection means extending longitudinally below substantially the fulllength of the second head-supporting portion of said conveyor, saidsecond portion being apertured to permit passage of blood therethroughto said collection means and means for driving said conveyor relatedwith the length of travel thereof to produce a time interval in traveladequate for complete bleeding of the stuck animals during travel.

5. The structure set forth in `claim 4 and an endlesshold-down conveyordisposed in spaced relation above said deck conveyor and extendinglongitudinally thereof for variably engaging individually the upperportions of the torso of animals on said deck conveyor to preventdisplacement of their transverse positions thereon.

6. The structure set forth in claim 4 and an endless said deck conveyorand extending longitudinally thereof, said hold-down conveyor having anendless apron constructed of flexible material and having yielding meansat a plurality of spaced intervals longitudinally thereof for yieldablyurging the lower run thereof downwardly whereby the upper portions ofthe torsos of animals varying in girth dimensions may be engaged andheld to prevent displacement thereof from their transverse positions onsaid deck conveyor.

7. Apparatus for facilitating successive sticking and bleeding ofslaughter animals, the voluntary processes of which have been previouslyimmobilized, comprising, an elongated conveyor including a first portiondefining a substantially planar' conveying surface of an overall widthand contour for accommodating transversely, on their sides, the fulllengths of a multiplicity of immobilized slaughter animals disposed inspaced relation transversely thereof, said conveyor also including asecond portion adjacent one full longitudinally extending lateral edgeof said rst portion and substantially depressed below said first portionfor receiving and supporting the head and at least portions of the forelegs of the animal, said depressed second portion being foraminous topermit passage of blood therethrough, a stickers station adjacent toreceiving end of said conveyor and means for driving said conveyor toadvance the conveying surface thereof from said stickers station to thedelivery end of said conveyor.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS712,579 Nicholson et al. Nov. 5, 1902 800,639 Gegenheimer Oct. 3, 19052,526,037 Murphy Oct. 17, 1950 2,600,781 Koonz .Tune 17, 1952 2,733,477Murphy Feb. 7, 1956 2,737,683 Regensburger Mar. 13, 1956 2,738,545Stevenson et al Mar. 20, 1956

